"Hmmhmhm~"

"Well, aren’t we in a good mood?"

The lady smiles as she watches Jill do her work fast and smooth, accepting documents and dealing with trade reports. She has medium length, purple hair tied to both sides that ran down her chest. Her voice is sexy, and her eyes narrow and squinty, that sometimes just slightly opened. Her name is Suzy. With her two large bosoms, she is known as the Best Soothing Receptionist among the mercenaries.

The Mercenaries Guild is located in front of Mercenaries Guild, so the mercenaries frequently swarm the girls here.

"…You’re right. I was in a good mood until you started talking to me."

"That’s mean. I just recovered from my cold."

Holding her cheeks, she heaves a sigh. The mercenaries on the other hand are saying things like “Is she okay?” or “Is Suzy not feeling well?” The two women are talking in low whispers, though, so the men couldn’t actually hear what they are saying. All they could see is the pleasant scene of two beauties talking to each other.

Suzy might fool the men, but she couldn’t fool Jill. She could see malice behind her gentle voice whenever they are talking. Not that Suzy would ever give herself away. As such, Jill is always wary around her.

"…I heard there’s a merchant who made you, someone who rarely smiles, smile and cry."

"What?!"Jill blurts out loudly.

Her first guess is talk of the town, Hiro, but she has no idea where the “cry” part came from. It must’ve been the mercenaries.

 While they claimed that “information is life”, they are a bunch who love gossip.

"No, you got the wrong idea."

"Is that so? So is it the other way around?"

"Hmm?"

"You’re in a good mood because you’re thinking about him."

Jill gives a start. As a matter of fact, she is relieved that Hiro dropped by the guild yesterday. She is aware of her mean attitude towards him and she wouldn’t have been surprised if he loathes her. Jill doesn’t particularly care if men didn’t like her, but it is different with Hikaru. He was a young boy with no particular abilities. As for his looks, Jill thought he was cute, though he didn’t stand out much. The crucial part, however, is the inside. He is diligent and sincere when it comes to business. On top of that, he is honest. One could say there aren’t a lot of men like him around these days. Jill wis thinking how much fun her job would be if there were more like him. So yes, Suzy was right.

"I-I’m not thinking about him… I’m just happy because my shift ends at noon today."

"What? I’ll be alone in the afternoon?"

"I’ve been on duty since the day before yesterday because you pretended to be sick."

"I wasn’t pretending. *cough*"

That sounds so fake. The  mercenaries could be heard saying “Is she all right?!” or “I’ll make her feel better!”

"Anyway, I’m leaving."

"Okaaay."

Jill is blunt around Suzy, but the latter is actually older. Turning twenty this year, she is of marriageable age in this world. The mercenaries are aware of this so a lot of men would court her just like they did with Jill.

"Oh, and Suzy."

"What is it?"

"If an merchant named Hiro comes, don’t answer him anything, tell him I will be here tomorrow to answer him."

"Hmm?"

"I’ll be here tomorrow morning. Just tell him that."

"Okaaay."

With that, Jell left. She plans to teach him a lot of things about Abram. One could say she is showing favour to someone. But in doing so, Jill wants to gain Hiro's affection.

Suzy ses Jill off with a smile, but that smile is now gone. Beyond her slightly opened eyelids, her purple eyes glint sharply.

"Jill sure is engrossed in this guy…"

In one part of town was a man who had no idea what transpired at the guild’s counter. After having lunch in a tavern, Hiro heads to the guild. An unfamiliar woman is on the counter. Though just like with Jill, men surround her just the same.

"What’s the guild up to gathering pretty women? Is there some kind of a statistic that shows there’s high profit for merchants if the receptionist is beautiful?" Hiro thinks.

Nonetheless, Hiro feels relieved that Jill isn’t around. She looked exhausted yesterday. She must be off duty in the afternoon. He hopes she gets a proper rest.

"May I help you, Sir?" Suzy asks.

"Em. Nothing. I was just looking for a receptionist. But since she has finished work, maybe I will visit again tomorrow."

Hearing that, Suzy immediately stands up and thinks, "Hiro."

"Are you Mr Hiro?" Suzy tries to confirm.

"What? Do you know me?" Hiro is surprised.

"Guild master and Jill talk about you, Mr Hiro."

"Oh, please stop with the honorific. Just call me Hiro."

Suzy grins slightly. Even Hiro catches that.

"Mr Hiro. What you want to ask Jill, you can ask me."

Hiro ponders for a while before asking,

"Do you know a knight, called Lyla?"

That catches Suzy by surprise. She nearly gawks but still doesn't reduce her beauty.

"Om. Sorry. Why do you want to know about her?" 

"Well, she visited our shop yesterday. And I am new here. I just to know more about the things in this territory. She looks to be someone important after all."

"Actually, she is comes here from time to time. In fact, we know her from childhood. We are all daughters of noble families after all."

"I see. She knows you. That's all I need to know. I am just curious."

Before Hiro turns away, Suzy panically grabs his sleeve.

Hiro turns back 

"Wha.."

"One last thing I need to warn you. Do you know who is the ruler of Abram region?" Suzy turns serious.

"Blare.. Lambert?"

"Blare is also powerful but the King has given ruling authority of Abram to Lambert family. The current head is Margrave Lubreo Lambert. Lyla is his personal knight."

Hiro's eyes nearly pop out as he just heard something really big.

"So, be careful with her."

Then, Suzy releases his sleeve.

She wonders what relationship between Hiro and Lyla and how close Jill and Hiro.

"Jill, even Lyla already took the initiative. If they’re so intent on hiding it, that only makes me more curious. Perhaps he has an extraordinary ability. Or a external connection. In that case, I should tame him, not Jill." She whispers in her heart.

"Hiro, please ask me anything. I am always here for you."

Suzy says in seducing tone while slightly bows, purposely showing her exposed cleavage to him.

The bulging chest behind the uniform that are so close to him makes his dick hard. He quickly turns away.

With a broad grin, Suzy escorts Hiro. But behind that smile is something sinister.

"That lady seems to be hiding something."

Hiro comes to that conclusion after judging Suzy’s attitude. It must be rough for Jill to be working with her.

"Jill’s easier to deal with since she’s simple-minded."

It isn’t a nice way to put it. But Hiro’s instincts proves to be correct. 

Hiro left the guild and walks.